The Las Vegas Raiders finally made their starting quarterback announcement for Week 1 of the 2026 season, and it is going to be the veteran Kirk Cousins getting the call. That means rookie and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is starting on the bench.
It used to be quite normal for a rookie quarterback, regardless of where they were picked, to start as a backup. But that has become increasingly rare in recent seasons, and Mendoza is the first No. 1 quarterback since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to not start Week 1 of their rookie season.
Since the 2000 NFL Draft, there have been 20 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall. Only eight of them, including Mendoza, did not open their rookie seasons as starters, and only three of the past 14.
Let’s take a look at the recent list.
- First career start: Week 3
The Browns selected Mayfield No. 1 in 2018 and opened the season with him on the bench behind veteran Tyrod Taylor. They finally turned to Mayfield in Week 3, and he put together a strong rookie season with 27 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions. Mayfield eventually led the Browns to their first playoff win since 1994, but was jettisoned for the Deshaun Watson error.
- First career start: Week 11
The Rams made a bold trade to move up to the No. 1 spot to select Goff, but started him on the bench behind veteran Case Keenum. Goff eventually got his first start in Week 11. He had a miserable rookie season, but eventually turned into a strong NFL starter and even helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl in the third year of his career. He was later traded for Matthew Stafford and has been a top-10 quarterback for the Detroit Lions.
- First career start: Week 13
This was the era before there was a slotting system in place for rookie contracts, and it was not uncommon for contract disputes. Russell’s was legendary in the sense that it went deep into the regular season. He finally signed in Week 6, started his first game in Week 13 and eventually became one of the biggest draft busts ever.
- First career start: Week 4
The mid-2000s 49ers were a mess of a franchise, and Smith was supposed to be their next franchise quarterback. He started his rookie season on the bench behind Tim Rattay, and eventually started seven games in a very rocky rookie season. He did eventually help get the 49ers to a Super Bowl, but his best play came as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs later on.
- First career start: Week 11
Manning was originally drafted by the Chargers, refused to sign with them and was traded to the New York Giants. He started his rookie season on the bench behind Kurt Warner and got his first start in Week 11. He was never the best quarterback in the NFL, but won two Super Bowls and will forever be a Giants legend for that.
- First career start: Week 1 (of his second season)
This was back when quarterbacks really, truly sat and learned. Palmer did not see the field until Week 1 of the 2004 season after spending all of 2003 behind Jon Kitna. Palmer was a bright spot for a Bengals franchise that wasted his talent.
- First career start: Week 9
Vick was one of the most hyped draft prospects to enter the NFL in years and was a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. While the Falcons did give him some snaps early in his career just to get him on the field, he rarely started in Year 1 and attempted just 113 passes, throwing only two touchdowns.
His career had some huge highs, but also some tough lows, including a two-year suspension for a dog-fighting scandal. He had a 1,000-yard rushing season as a quarterback at an unthinkable time.
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